Thinkpads Forum

Just wondering about how "secure" using the BIOS tool for erasing the SSD is as compared to Secure Erase or HDDErase.

I found the 1.02 version of the ThinkPad BIOS Setup Menu Extension Utility from here:

http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/domino04/pc/su ... R-68369-KR

I need to do 2 things.

1. wipe the old Samsung SSD
2. wipe the Intel X18-M I will be replacing it with (its not brand new)

Thanks!

I'd download the manufacturer's utilities, rather than let some (how old?) BIOS-procedure possibly ruin your drive(s).
Besides, the BIOS app is for HDD, not SSD.

the BIOS sends the exact same ATA command to secure erase the drive as what an application would.   the utility linked is for SSDs and FDE HDDs.

if your X18-M is a G1 drive (black in color, not silver) then i would be cautious.   there have been a few reports of bricked drives after trying to erase them.   a G2 drive should be fine.   i've erased many G2 SSDs using the BIOS without a single problem.   in fact, i've used the BIOS-based secure erase feature in X301, X200, X201, and thinkstation C20 systems without issue to erase various samsung and intel SSDs.

here is the proper link in english: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... MIGR-68369

Thanks for that erik.

Yes it is a G2 drive. Its a silver (34-nm) part.